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By Ayesha Sitara
The Torajans are a hill tribe in Indonesia that continues to believe in animistic funeral rites and keeping the dead “alive” at home until rituals are complete.
💡Note: This gallery contains graphic images of human remains and animal slaughter.
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While most people across the world bury or burn the dead soon after death, the Torajans keep their dead in a coffin at home until a buffalo is sacrificed. Hence families spend their entire lives saving up to buy a buffalo that can cost millions of rupiah. This can sometimes take years, and during that time the dead are cared for like a sick person and offered food, water, and regular conversation.
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Although many Torajans converted to Christianity under Dutch rule, funeral rites continue to be conducted in their ancestral way, which includes communal feasting, dancing, animal sacrifices, bullfighting, and cockfighting.
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After the celebrations, the dead are buried in family vaults – ancient ones such as caves and boulders, or modern concrete ones. Since they believe in the afterlife, the dead body is buried with material possessions, especially those favoured in this life.
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For much of the world, death often symbolises a sad separation from our loved ones and funerals are a solemn affair. But in Toraja, death is honoured in the physical landscape as well as daily lives.
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The animals that are sacrificed are shared by hundreds of guests, and the various funeral rituals help the local economy. Tourists are even warmly welcomed to attend these personal occasions, as Torajans believe the more the guests at the funeral, the more respect and honour for the dead.
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Stay tuned for Part 2, tomorrow.
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Ayesha Sitara is a documentary photographer based in Hong Kong. She has published work in Gestalten, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, The Hindu, HarpersCollins, Asia Times, SCMP and Wall to Wall Media UK (Documentaries) to name a few. She received honourable mention at the 19th Pollux Awards and her photos were exhibited at Fotonostrum Gallery in Barcelona. She is a member of Cathay Camera Club in Hong Kong and winner of its annual exhibition in 2022.
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